KTFA:
Clare: The Minister of Oil discusses the draft oil and gas law with a delegation from the region.
Baghdad Today – Baghdad
Oil Minister Basim Mohammed Khudair received the Minister of Natural Resources in the Kurdistan Region, Kamal Mohammed Saleh, and his accompanying delegation on Wednesday (September 9, 2026).
A statement from the ministry, received by “Baghdad Today,” indicated that the meeting included discussions on a number of files related to the oil and gas sector, most notably the draft oil and gas law, which contributes to strengthening cooperation and coordination between the federal government and the regional government in this vital sector.
The statement added that both sides stressed the importance of continuing dialogue and joint coordination in a way that serves the national interest and supports the development of the sector, noting that “the meeting was attended by a number of directors general in the federal ministry, along with the Minister of Finance in the regional government and a delegation from the Ministry of Natural Resources.” LINK
Clare: The Kurdistan Regional Government has decided to immediately close all Forex companies and ban the trading of digital currencies.
Erbil (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Regional Government has launched a broad campaign to combat illegal currency trading, ordering the immediate and comprehensive closure of all companies and offices operating in the field of electronic trading “Forex”, with a strict emphasis on prohibiting the trading of digital and encrypted currencies.
An official circular issued by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the Kurdistan Region tasked the Ministry of Interior and the relevant security agencies with immediately beginning to close the headquarters and offices of companies and centers trading in digital currencies and “Forex” platforms that are not licensed in all cities and governorates of the region.
Decision-making principles:
Compliance with Baghdad and Central Bank decisions: These procedures are based on official instructions issued by the Central Bank of Iraq, which criminalize and classify any dealings with digital currencies and platforms not subject to the official financial system as illegal and prohibited banking activities.
Immediate closure and field prosecution: The Ministry of Interior is tasked, in coordination with relevant institutions and departments, with raiding and sealing all sites and centers that carry out this activity outside the scope of the law and applicable instructions.
Preventing evasion and changing addresses: The directive stressed the need to pursue all companies and networks that trade under pseudonyms, or resort to tricks and changing addresses and business activities to circumvent the decision.
Protecting the financial security of citizens
The Kurdistan Regional Government affirmed that this decisive measure stems from a commitment to preserving the financial stability of citizens and protecting their savings, preventing the draining of capital abroad, as well as containing the risks of fraud, financial scams, and the serious losses resulting from unreliable speculation on these unregulated platforms. LINK
